Eye protection device

ABSTRACT

With reference to FIG. ( 2 ), a helmet ( 2 ) for an aircraft crew member ( 1 ) is provided with a device ( 10 ) for forming an eye-shielding curtain ( 11 ) of air in front of the crew members eyes. The air exhausts to the ambient atmosphere ( 9 ) by way of an escape path ( 12 ) beneath the lower edge of the visor ( 4 ), as indicated by arrow ( 13 ).

[0001] This invention relates to eye protection devices, and particularly, but not exclusively, relates to eye protection devices for aircraft crew members.

[0002] In certain operational conditions, aircraft crew members are sometimes troubled by ambient atmospheres which can irritate the eyes. These effects can be due to chemical warfare agents or other hazards, and some of these hazards can affect flight safety or the ability to undertake delicate tasks.

[0003] The present invention seeks to at least alleviate this problem.

[0004] According to the present invention, an eye protection device comprises means for forming an eye-shielding curtain of air in front of the eyes.

[0005] The invention has many applications and particularly, but not exclusively, provides an embodiment comprising a helmet incorporating such an eye protection device. The helmet may comprise an aircraft crew member's helmet.

[0006] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section of an aircraft crew wearing a helmet incorporating an eye protection device,

[0008]FIG. 2 is an enlargement of part of FIG. 1 and illustrates further detail,

[0009]FIG. 3 is front view of the eye protection device, and

[0010]FIG. 4 is an end view of the device, looking in the direction of arrow IV of FIG. 3.

[0011] With reference to the figures, an aircraft crew member 1 is shown wearing a helmet 2 which fits closely to the head and is held firmly in place, eg, using a strap FR-A-2 109 042 discloses protection equipment, especially a helmet, for a car driver comprising on the inside a perforated frontal ramp connected to a pressurised fluid supply tubing system. In the event of an accident the fluid system is released, cools and forms a protection curtain in front of the driver's face. The present invention seeks to improve upon this system for use to alleviate the present problem. 

In the claims:
 1. (Amended) An eye-protection device comprising means for forming an eye-shielding curtain of air in front of the eyes, wherein the device comprises a casing having an air inlet, a divergent portion which serves as an air diffuser and an air discharge slot.
 2. (Amended) An eye-protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the air discharge slot is defined by a divergent air outlet.
 3. (Amended) An eye-protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the divergent portion of the device houses material which defines torturous paths for out-flowing air.
 4. (Amended) An eye-protection device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the torturous paths are defined by a plurality of particles.
 5. (Amended) An eye-protection device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the particles are of generally triangular shape.
 6. (Amended) An eye-protection device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the eye-shielding curtain of air is slightly pressurized.
 7. (Amended) A helmet incorporating an eye-protection device as claimed in claim
 1. 8. (Amended) A helmet as claimed in claim 7 incorporating a visor disposed in front of the helmet wearer's eyes, wherein the eye-protection device is disposed behind the visor.
 9. (Amended) A helmet as claimed in claim 8 wherein the visor is curved and wherein the visor is provided with a peripheral seal extending along the brow of the wearer and vertical sides of the visor, to define a bottom opening providing a curtain air escape path.
 10. (Amended) A helmet as claimed in claim 9 wherein the eye-protection device is curved to conform with the visor.
 11. (Amended) A helmet as claimed in claim 9 wherein there is no seal along the bottom edge of the visor.
 12. (Amended) A helmet as claimed in claim 7 comprising a flexible oronasal mask which does not provide an airtight seal with the visor.
 13. (Amended) A helmet as claimed in claim 7 comprising a further outer visor.
 14. (Amended) A helmet as claimed in claim 7 comprising an aircraft crew member's helmet.
 15. (Amended) Use of eye-protection device as claimed in claim 1 to form an eye-shielding curtain of slightly pressurized clean air discharged downwardly across, but not into, the crew member's eyes. 